"It was made using several over a ton of Mana Chalk, and about fifty gallons of Mercury. Our elders also spent three days and night to complete the process."
We all stood in front of the barrier and watched Asa geek on about the history about the barrier and how badass her ancestors were.
I mean, sure, they were pretty decent, but...
'Its not like this barrier is that great.'
To be honest, I could think of ways to make it more efficient. Besides, the fact that I could spot certain errors in their illusory projection meant it was far from perfect.
Still, considering what they had to work with, u still had to grant them respect.
"That's why Elves are renown as the best in runemaking—of course, not counting the demons..." I could sense a bit of hesitation in Asa's last statement, but it wasn't like out demon friends cared.
They probably never really paid attention to all she was saying considering they had to have seen the inferior quality of the Elven barrier.
"Just to be clear, we all have our Magic Rings activated, right?" I asked, and everyone nodded.
The only reason we were able to stand right in front of enemy territory was because our stealth tools were already functional.
'With this, even a non professional can survey an area undetected.'
It was possible for highly sensitive individuals to see through the effects of the items, but considering the level of the Elves based on their barrier and the little I already knew, I doubted we would find any such individual here.
Besides, if such a person was here, then this mission was a bad idea, to begin with.
'If it comes down to it, I'll have Adu teleport both of us away from this place.'
I didn't want anything to happen to my slaves, since that would be a waste of resources, so I had a plan to hatch in case they were also in danger.
'No one gets left behind!'
"Now that I've gotten a good look at the barrier, I know the kind of countermeasures to use."
I had already prepared a few counter runes before arriving here, due to my intention not to waste any time in our mission.
With our good luck, it seemed it was an Advanced Barrier of the lowest strata, so it was within my expectations.
I sorted through my Inventory and brought out a few cards—six to be exact—that had runic inscriptions on them.
The inscriptions warbled a few seconds after appearing, most likely due to the barrier in front of us.
"Here. Have these." I distributed the items—one card per person.
Their effects prevented my team.members from being deluded by any further barrier made by the Elves, or any form of mind disorienting Magic.
Asa told me of the tricks Elves often resorted to, and while they couldn't detect us, it was still imperative that we acted accordingly and took the right measures.
"Once we invade this barrier, it'll most likely alert the Elves. In that case, they might have other traps up their sleeves, so be careful."
Everyone nodded in response.
"Team one, you're going West. Team two, you're going East. Adu and I will pass the center route. Remember the plan and duration."
Fortunately, none of my subordinates were stupid. I surmised they all understood the plan and knew the consequences of failure.
Besides, every person had somewhat of a stake that prevented them from failing.
The three demons automatically had to perform their roles as stipulated since they were slaves.
This was Asa's village, and Lucy did her best to be of service.
I wasn't expecting any flop.
"Alright. Split up and stand beside your respective partners. We're moving out now." I commanded.
"Understood!"
If anyone was wondering why we were able to see each other and hear each other despite the effects of our Magic Items, there was only one explanation I could offer.
Magic Logic.
*************
[WEST SIDE]
Hogun and Lucy ran through the forest in silence.
There was no sign of discomfort or awkwardness. They both simply cared more about their mission and its completion more than they did about their racial incompatibility.
They were both loyal to the Hero, and with their hearts dedicated to completing the mission, they raced onward.
The Elven Forest was much larger and thicker than either of them thought, but that didn't distract the..
The tall trees stretched as tall as sixty meters, and the undergrowth was lush enough to make anyone living in the wilderness stare in wonder.
The branches above them seemed sturdy, but since neither Hogun nor Lucy were very acrobatic, they decided to run on the ground.
Their pace was somewhat evenly matched—initially because of an effort Hogun made in order not to push the much weaker human too hard.
However, when Lucy increased her pace and displayed no sign of exhaustion, Hogun realized he had been too foolish and considerate.
Both of them instead ran at an appropriate pace, complementing each other in practically every fashion.
"This way!"
"The observatory said they sensed the intrusion from this location."
"Why now? Shit! Shit!"
The voices of three Elves caused the racing partners to halt in their tracks and hide behind different trees.
Of course, they knew the enemies couldn't see or hear them, but it was best to take precautions.
Besides, considering it would only be until the Elves ran past them—a few seconds at most—both Hogun and Lucy made the right call to pause.
It was at this moment that the lion-faced demon stared at his partner, expecting to see some form of exhaustion. However, none was seen.
'We've been running at inhuman speed for a while now. I understand she's a warrior, but she's still human. Moreover, she's using her base stats.'
Counting the fact that they had just concluded walking a decently long distance, wasn't it only natural to expect some display of fatigue?
With no enhancements whatsoever, Lucy was meant to be catching her breath, at least.
'Have I been underestimating humans?' Hogun wondered.
He highly doubted it, though there was another explanation that Lucy was simply different from other humans. Perhaps she was just better?
It seemed absurd, but Hogun decided to accept that as a temporary answer.
'Ah, the Elves are out of sight!' Hogun noticed the coast was clear and began to sprint for his destination.
Lucy did the same, and they resumed their journey in silence.
*
*
*
[EAST SIDE]
"The Elves have gone past us. You think there'll be more?" Heshu asked Asa, who stood on the same branch he sat on.
The two both observed as the Elves ran toward the side of the barrier they infiltrated, though they knew it was all for naught.
"I doubt it. In the past, we used to have Elves stationed around here as patrols, but I don't see or sense any of them." Asa replied, still glancing around her for good measure.
Heshu noticed that, just as she said, the cost was indeed clear.
"What do you think is the cause?"
"I'm not sure. It is worrisome that the security of this place has gotten so flimsy. The time it took for the guards to arrive here means they were stationed further away. Plus, their numbers and their sluggish pace... "
Asa's face was clouded in worry. She knew her mission was to simply observe everything she encountered in her side of the forest and Elven settlement, but how she wished she could learn more about the issue of security.
Merely seeing her fellow Elves brought back emotions she had long left buried.
"We should resume our movement. Maybe we'll learn more as we advance." Heshu's calm, gentlemanly voice roused her from her nostalgia.
"A-ah, yes. Sorry!"
Asa took her gaze from the backs of her Elf brethren, turning in the direction where she was intended to go.
An apologetic look dwelled on her face, and it seemed her partner noticed it. He understood her desire, but he also knew it was not the time or place to indulge in sentimental actions
"No need to apologize. Let's just go."
"Y-yeah!"
*
*
*
[CENTRAL SIDE]
'Tch! This is the most humiliating day of my life!'
The one who thought this was none other than Adu. He was running right behind the Hero, and he felt the sting of inferiority more than ever.
'I wanted to fly, but...!' Adu recollected how the Hero told him not to.
Apparently, the Magic Ring's effects didn't cover the cloaking of Magic—especially something as intense as Adu's Miasma.
He couldn't fly, rather he had to run.
'Damnit! I'm not used to this!' Adu gritted his teeth, watching the steady back of the Hero.
While, he was never told to run behind the Hero, Adu was well acquinted with the ethics of a slave. He knew how they operated, considering he had seen many in the past.
Besides, as much as he would have preferred to run in front of the Hero and despised his current position, he still found it unacceptably ridiculous to run beside his Master.
Yes, it was degrading, but...
'... I'll just endure it for now! Just you wait, Hero!'
*
*
*
[A/N]
I'm going through a hard time irl currently, so it's really difficult to write a chapter. I apologize for all the clone chapters recently
I'm really not feeling very well with all that's happening around me.
Hope you enjoyed the read.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter